Broken down but limping in FL

[homeyclaus]

So we pulled into a rest stop off of i10 for lunch, and there was an odd but familiar smell. Burning oil. One glance at the passenger wheel well was cause for concern. The back wheel well skirt was wet, and upon opening the hood it was clear that there was a major oil leak at the front of the engine. I took pics, checked the oil level, and had lost less than .25 qt of oil.

Called my insurer's road side assistance, the trailer we were pulling would have to be moved at our cost. Toyota's people said the same. So we chanced another 9 miles, pulled into a campground, and are thinking the front seal or whatever is near there might not hold up the last 300 miles this trip.

Argh.

 

[mrvandelay]

Where are you and where are you headed?

 

[rebelbowtie]

Where are you and where are you headed?

x3

The message you entered is too short.

 

[philsey]

Where's that thread that was started about helping traveling forum members?

I'm searching, but I can't think what keywords to use.

EDIT: Found it, but Jay has already responded (here).

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ontact-list-recovery-team-you-broke-what.html

 

[KidVermicious]

Wish I were closer - good luck!

 

[Titanpat57]

Don't chance it..the Calvary will come!

Good luck

 

[rebelbowtie]

If you're close to the Alabama border I can help depending on what you need.

 

[homeyclaus]

Where are you and where are you headed?

Off of Exit 258 on Interstate 10 right now. At a campground, feet up, truck on a ramp, still mulling this over.

Final destination is Santa Rosa Beach.

x3

The message you entered is too short.

Mobile phone interfaces do that.

Don't chance it..the Calvary will come!

Good luck

Not sure I am comfortable with the religious reference. You mean Cavalry?

 

[homeyclaus]

So my question to local members here is: Which Toyota Dealer should I get my vehicle towed to?

There is one in Tallahassee, and one in Lake City.

I'll have photos of the carnage up shortly.

 

[rebelbowtie]

I'd tow it to the closest one, also keep in mind Lake City is a small town compared too Tallahassee. My parents have a place there (lake city) just don't know about the Toyota dealer.

 

[FERAL 4R]

I used to live near Lake City and have taken my FJ to that dealer... As far as I remember, they're good to go.

 

[homeyclaus]

Blowed up real good!

https://plus.google.com/photos/113125145757178198535/albums/5825269353685562465?authkey=COjxveuTnL_LDA

 

[mrvandelay]

Tally if those are your choices. You're 100mi from Jacksonville, which has plenty of choices but then you're back tracking.

Also: I'll be off early tomorrow so if you need some help let me know. I can't get to Tally but Lake City is doable.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Dang, hope it gets fixed quick and you get back on the road.

 

[Shamish]

Sorry about the leak...bad way to grumpify anootherwise enjoyable vacation.

This is going to sound dumb, but are you sure the oil filter housing is not leaking at the cap? The reason I ask is that the little metal tab on the cap seems to be about 1/2" to the right of where I thought it was supposed to be. Maybe a problem with the gasket or damaged threads (although it would take a lot to damage the threads...).

Anyway, good luck. Good thing you did not have a fire.

 

[Froggy]

Sorry about the leak...bad way to grumpify anootherwise enjoyable vacation.

This is going to sound dumb, but are you sure the oil filter housing is not leaking at the cap? The reason I ask is that the little metal tab on the cap seems to be about 1/2" to the right of where I thought it was supposed to be. Maybe a problem with the gasket or damaged threads (although it would take a lot to damage the threads...).

Anyway, good luck. Good thing you did not have a fire.

I second the oil filter installation. The sealing is via an "O" ring and installing the "O" ring incorrectly WILL result in a major oil loss and mess. Have you had the filter replaced recently?

 

[homeyclaus]

Sorry about the leak...bad way to grumpify anootherwise enjoyable vacation.

This is going to sound dumb, but are you sure the oil filter housing is not leaking at the cap? The reason I ask is that the little metal tab on the cap seems to be about 1/2" to the right of where I thought it was supposed to be. Maybe a problem with the gasket or damaged threads (although it would take a lot to damage the threads...).

Anyway, good luck. Good thing you did not have a fire.

Checked that, it is dry. About the only spot that is down there. And yeah, a fire would have been much worse.


ETA: Oil at the front of the engine makes the oil filter the first suspect, and agreed on the back-off clip position. The oil on the engine (and frame, and so on) is above and behind the oil filter though, and even with highway air flow I'd be surprised if the plastic part of the housing weren't wet.

So the Geico contractor did not show up at the agreed time, and since the fam wasn't in the truck, I drove it to Tallahassee and discovered that the local dealership isn't even working the half day today. Called Toyota road-side, and they confirmed that all the dealerships in driving distance are closed, probably until Wednesday.

It also looks like whatever's leaking has stopped or abated, I am no longer losing oil.

So it sounds like Christmas at the Yogi Bear park, with the other three campers acting as our closest friends.

Or buy a big fire extinguisher, a spare oil filter, and two jugs of oil, and risk the drive the rest of the way. Or rent a truck from Enterprise (if they're open and have one), jigger in the brake controller, and use that.

 

[Jeff4runner]

This whole situation has got to be a downer. But like others said, good thing there wasn't a fire. Once the situation is fixed, let us know what the issue was. Highly unusual for a Toyota to have a moderate oil leak on such a new truck...

 

[Antman]

That really sucks man. I hope it gets fixed soon enough.

Xmas is time with the family and you guys love camping so make the best of it. At least you're together! Don't risk the drive.

Merry Xmas buddy!

Now about your camping neighbors... watch out for Cousin Eddie.

 

[WV runner]

I had a very similiar situation with my '12 Camry. Late for a meeting and was hammering it up the interstate and smelled that burnt oil smell. Oil was everywhere down the passenger side of the undercarriage. Turned out to be the oil filter housing wasn't fully seated from the last oil change which was over 1000 miles ago. I guess running it hard must have created more pressure than usual and it blew the oil out of the top of the housing. New filter and oil and she was good as new except for having to clean up the undercarriage. Good luck and try to enjoy your Holidays.